Gesslein said that the cap would require a one cent reduction in the tax rate if commissioners choose not to override it.  But he warned that the district won't have funds for future purchases if it can't maintain reserves at a sustainable level.  He estimated the drop in the tax levy will cost the budget $20,000 if the cap is not overridden.

"I can find a place to squeeze it out of if you want to keep to the tax cap," he said.  "My major concern is that we've got some very big apparatus purchases coming up, and I need to know whether to keep them on the capital plan schedule, or change that schedule.  Because we have got to have enough money to pay for these things, rather than go out and borrow."

Gesslein noted that the district's capital equipment plan calls for new fire trucks over the next four or five years.  He said that if the commissioners want to keep to that replacement schedule they will be forced to override the cap.

Fire Commission Chair Robert Wagner pointed out that with the cost of trucks going up about 5% per year, the cost of fire apparatus doubles over the lifetime the Lansing department keeps its equipment.  That math turns out to be conservative - last September Deputy Chief Brad George said he expects to begin working out the specifications for a new heavy rescue truck to replace the 20 year old apparatus the department currently uses.  He said it would cost at least $1.3 million plus about $250,000 of tools it will carry.